The National Trust have applied for a felling licence to chop down / deforest 19 hectares or 48 acres of beautiful woodland in the area of Kinver Edge a forest known locally as Blakeshall and Kingsford Forest. The area is dubbed “The Lungs of the Black Country” with good reason. The closing date for the Forestry Commission consultation on the Environmental Impact Assessment submitted by the National Trust is the 9th May 2025. You can email the Forestry Commission to object to these plans on adminhub.bullershill@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

This at a time of Climate Change crisis when Governments, including our own, are advocating the planting of millions of trees. These trees help to cleanse our air, prevent soil erosion and flooding better than any other vegetation. This area suffers erosion and flooding as it is sandy soil and sandstone. The wood was gifted to the National Trust by Worcestershire County Council for safe keeping with conditions attached to preserve access to the thousands of locals and visitors who walk, cycle and horse ride across it everyday. The Trust plan to fence off the whole area after deforestation and limit access using gates with cows grazing for most of the year. There is a Facebook page Kinver Edge Walkers and Riders Group set up to oppose these plans. Please also join this if you are able. If the Forestry Commission say no the National Trust cannot fell this lovely peaceful, restorative wood. Those thousands who visit this area feel passionately about protecting the trees from destruction.